This is a challenging time for everyone including dentists. We also understand the dental profession has been calling on urgent government support amidst reports that 19 million dental appointments have been missed since March.
Recent surveys have highlighted the high incidence of stress and depression among dental practitioners. According to the 2019 Dentistry Confidence Monitor report. 84% of NHS dentists and 51% of private dentists believe their current role has negatively affected their mental health. As a result, the majority of dentists were anxious about the risk of complaints. They felt unhappy about their ability to do their job, without feeling overly stressed. Last year a survey was done by Dental Protection. The survey found out half of the dentists had considered leaving the profession due to personal wellbeing and mental health.
There have been 72% of dentists responding to a Dentistry Confidence Monitor saying that they weren’t sure to whom they could turn for support.
The Outcome of the Meeting at the House of Commons
On Thursday the 14th January MP's at the House of Commons held a debate on the impact of COVID-19 on dental services.
The key theme of the debate was the imposition of activity targets on NHS dental practices from 1 January. MPs almost unanimously condemned the new target. They had Members from both sides of the House urging the Minister to abandon it. Following the campaign, we called upon members to contact their representatives. Many MPs quoted testimonies of their local dentists, stressing how the targets threaten patient safety and the stability and viability of practices.
Dentists are asking for greater support for private practices. For instance, business rates relief, funding for ventilation equipment to help bring down fallow time, priority access to COVID-19 vaccination, and wider reform of the failed UDA system.
Minister Jo Churchill MP refused to abandon the new target. Offering assurances that an exceptions process was in place, with staff sickness and patient non-attendance would all be taken into account. She confirmed dentists and their teams would have priority access to the Covid-19 vaccine. She reiterated her commitment to long-term reform of the NHS dental system.
Help for the Dentists
In conclusion, we need to support our dentists. They are on the front line helping patients. If you are a dentist and you feel you need to talk to someone, there is help. If you're struggling then a helpline has been set up offering emotional support for dentists from fellow dentists. It was recently set up by Jeremy Cooper FFGDP(UK). former Faculty Vice-Dean Jenny Pinder, and fellow dentists Lauren Harrhy and Keith Hayes. Freephone 0333 987 5158, 24 hours a day
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